Chapter 17 Further Reading: Solar, EV Chargers, and Whole-Home Generators

Solar Energy Resources

1. NREL PVWatts Calculator (pvwatts.nrel.gov) The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's free solar production estimator is the single most important tool for evaluating solar economics honestly. Enter your address, system size, tilt, and azimuth; get an independent production estimate grounded in NREL's measured solar resource data. Every solar quote should be cross-checked against PVWatts. Free, no registration required.

2. Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (dsireusa.org) The comprehensive, continuously updated database of every state and utility incentive for solar, battery storage, EV charging, and efficiency upgrades. Search by state to find state tax credits, utility rebates, property tax exemptions, and sales tax exemptions that apply to your situation. Maintained by NC State University with DOE funding. Authoritative and free.

3. "Go Solar California" — California Public Utilities Commission (cpuc.ca.gov) California leads the nation in residential solar installation and has the most developed regulatory infrastructure. Even if you don't live in California, their CPUC publications explain solar interconnection, net metering mechanics, and consumer protection requirements with more clarity than most state resources. Their "Solar Consumer Protection Guide" is a useful reference regardless of location.

4. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) — "Solar Basics" (seia.org) SEIA is the U.S. solar industry trade association. Their consumer-facing educational materials are well-produced and reasonably balanced (being an industry group, they're optimistic about solar, but their technical explanations are accurate). The ITC explanations on their site are particularly clear and kept current.

5. "Rooftop Solar for Homeowners" — Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (emp.lbl.gov) LBNL's Electricity Markets and Policy group publishes the most rigorous academic research on U.S. residential solar installation trends, pricing, and performance. Their annual "Tracking the Sun" report documents installed system cost trends going back to 2000 — invaluable for evaluating whether a quote is reasonably priced for your market. Free downloads available on their website.

Battery Storage Resources

6. Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) — "Home Battery Storage" Consumer Guide (rmi.org) RMI is an independent clean energy think tank with no product sales interest. Their battery storage guides cut through manufacturer marketing with quantitative analysis of use cases, economic conditions where batteries make financial sense, and conditions where they don't. More balanced than manufacturer-produced materials.

EV Charging Resources

7. U.S. Department of Energy — "Alternative Fuels Station Locator" and EV Charging Resources (fueleconomy.gov) The DOE's EV-related consumer resources cover home charging economics, Level 1 vs. Level 2 comparisons, and real-world range and efficiency data by vehicle. Their calculators for comparing EV vs. gasoline fuel costs are well-constructed.

8. Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) — Home Charging Guides (electricauto.org) Community-produced guides for EV owners covering home charging equipment evaluation, electrician selection, and permit navigation. Particularly useful for navigating the HOA and condo scenarios that make EV charging installation complicated in multi-unit settings.

Generator Safety Resources

9. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — "Generator Safety" (cpsc.gov) The CPSC documents every reportable consumer product death, including generator CO poisoning incidents. Their generator safety materials include the specific case studies that informed the statistics in this chapter — approximately 70–100 generator-related CO deaths annually, with detailed breakdown of circumstances. The documentation of "garage with door open" incidents specifically addresses the most common misuse pattern. Free download.

10. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) — "Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" (cdc.gov) The CDC's CO poisoning resources cover symptoms, treatment, and prevention with the authority of a public health agency. Their specific guidance on generator use after natural disasters — published for emergency responders and distributed during storm events — is a clear, authoritative summary of safe practices.

11. Generac, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton Generator Owner's Manuals The safety sections of major generator manufacturers' owner's manuals document the specific CO and operational hazards with appropriate specificity. These manuals are freely available online for every model. If you own a generator and haven't read the safety section of its manual, do so — the warnings are not boilerplate.

Planning and Integration Resources

12. "Electrify Everything at Home" — Rewiring America (rewiringamerica.org) Rewiring America is a nonprofit focused on residential electrification. Their consumer guide covers the electrification upgrade pathway — heat pumps, induction cooking, EV charging, heat pump water heaters, and solar — with quantitative analysis of costs, savings, and sequencing. Their IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) incentive calculator is particularly useful for households planning multiple upgrades, showing how ITC, rebates, and other incentives stack across a complete electrification project.